Title: Fifty Ways
By: Caster
Pairing: David/Nick
Rating: PG-13
A/T: Written for the 1sentence challenge.
Disclaimer: Seriously, poor college student here. Don't sue; I doubt I could afford the gas to make it to court. (Man, I wish I was kidding!)
Summary: Fifty ways a relationship can exist. Done for the 1sentence challenge!

***

#01. Ring- David's stomach lurches and the world gyrates as he presses the gold ring into Nick's palm, but then Nick smiles, whispers "yes", and joyfully spins him around.

#02. Hero- Nick murmurs, "You're my hero" as he clutches David's hand, and David knows he's talking about getting the feed.

#03. Memory- The memory of their initial dislike for each other still makes Nick laugh sometimes, because dislike isn't an issue with them anymore.

#04. Box- David watches the lime-tinted screen while Nick struggles with the box, feels Catherine clasp her hand into his, sees his whole world crumble.

#05. Run- "It's my favorite song," David admits, glancing at the Snow Patrol CD, and Nick can't believe how much he doesn't know about this man.

#06. Hurricane- David's never truly been angry until Catherine and Warrick corner him while Greg rests in the hospital, and although Nick may not care for him, he still feels both sympathetic and surprised; David's anger is like a violent storm.

#07. Wings- It takes two months and a lot of pestering before Nick convinces David to go skydiving, but once David's airborne, he discovers that he loves having wings.

#08. Cold- Nick sighs and huddles beneath the blankets, waiting for David to come back; it's always so cold when he's the only one in bed.

#09. Red- He may not know that Hodges guy very well, but when Nick sees the officer push him around, all he can really see is red.

#10. Drink- "Wanna catch a drink with me?" Nick asks, shooting him a smile, and hopes that David will accept this time.

#11. Midnight- David looks perfect beneath the stars; Nick's suddenly glad they both work midnight shift.

#12. Temptation- Nick's wearing a drunk smile and asking David to come in, but the consequences win over unbearable temptation, and David forces out a "no".

#13. View- David sure lets Grissom know his views on the Gay Marriage Amendment, but Nick's too scared to admit he agrees.

#14. Music- Wendy shoots him a triumphant smile, and it's only then that David realizes he's been humming country music.

#15. Silk- "Want to?" Nick whispers as he wraps the cool silk scarves around David's wrists.

#16. Cover- He wonders if his snobby, sarcastic cover is enough to hide his attraction.

#17. Promise- "This song kinda reminds me of you," Nick says, indicating the radio with a tilt of his head while When in Rome plays through the speakers.

#18. Dream- Nick knows it's bad, because his sheets are sticky and his breath is harsh and he's had another dream about David.

#19. Candle- The power's out, but that's okay, because Nick loves how the candle flame casts light over David's face.

#20. Talent- David's smart and savvy and talented in almost every area (except for people, of course), but there are some talents Nick doesn't want him to share.

#21. Silence- Nick knows he really messed up this time when all David responds with is silence.

#22. Journey- It's been a long journey for them both, but being there, wrapped up in each other, makes the past three years worth it.

#23. Fire- Wendy looks at Nick through bloodshot eyes and all she can say is, "There was a fire in the lab."

#24. Strength- "You gotta be a hell of a strong guy to put up with Hodges, man. I don't know how you do it," Warrick admits.

#25. Mask- The mask is a tough thing to crack, but when he finally catches a glimpse of the real David Hodges, Nick's new mission is to keep chiseling away.

#26. Ice- "Your soul's like ice," Nick mutters as David scoots him out of bed to get an early start on the laundry; after all, those sheets won't wash themselves.

#27. Fall- "It's a nice day," Nick says as they sprawl out on the park ground, and he wonders if they can make it home without falling asleep.

#29. Dance- David doesn't really like clubs, but as the beat pounds through his ears, he realizes he can watch Nick dance all night.

#30. Body- David gags and watches as Nick easily ignores the decomposing body surrounded by crime scene tape.

#31. Sacred- David may complain about and agonize Greg every chance he gets, but they do agree on one thing: coffee is sacred.

#32. Farewells- He waited for Nick (although he hates waiting for anything), but three years later (without so much of a hint) has forced David to say farewell.

#33. World- The world thinks they're ugly and vile and sinners, but neither Nick nor David give a damn what the world thinks.

#34. Formal- David sighs and tugs at his tie (he hates formals), but then stills as Nick wraps his arms around him, fixes the tie with expert fingers, and kisses his temple.

#35. Fever- It's just a little fever, but Nick insists on staying to make sure David gets well.

#36. Laugh- He's tactless and rude and a little bit closed off, but when David laughs, Nick sees him as purely human.

#37. Lies- "Girlfriend? Oh, uh, I'm not really… really seeing anyone," Nick lies in lieu of Warrick's teasing question, but he feels a strong gaze pin his back and knows David overheard.

#38. Forever- "So. A commitment ceremony, huh? I'll bring the cupcakes," Greg offers, and grins as David rolls his eyes.

#39. Overwhelmed- "Oh my God, it's Monday," David groans; Nick can only hand the overwhelmed man a mug of coffee and a smile.

#40. Whisper- "I hope you know he hates birthday parties," Nick whispers to Jacqui as everyone hides in his living room and waits for David to come inside.

#41. Wait- Nick's handsome and kind and genuinely wonderful, so there's a whole line of people waiting for his attention; surprisingly, David doesn't mind taking a number.

#42. Talk- "Don't you ever stop talking?" Nick asks, grinning as he bends to capture a kiss.

#43. Search- It's been six hours since David went missing, and Nick wonders if he can survive the search.

#44. Hope- That's what this job is all about, Nick says: finding the answer and leaving some hope for the future; David looks at him, long and hard, and wonders how he ever got so lucky.

#45. Eclipse- If Jacqui's a super nova (fiery and dazzling) and Archie's a satellite (nothing but technology), Nick decides that David's an eclipse (always hiding his brightness from the world).

#46. Gravity- Everyone has a reason to spend time with David, even if most of it revolves around work; Nick, however, sees him as gravity, and can never seem to break away.

#47. Highway- He has no idea how they ever broke down on the highway, but the scene's getting cold, and the only way Nick can keep warm is by snuggling up to a ranting technician while they wait for the tow truck.

#48. Unknown- The only thing that scares David is the unknown, so he stares at Nick through the glass wall and wonders if he should take the chance.

#49. Lock- David watches the gold key slide into the lock, and can't help but grin as the door to his and Nick's first house creaks open.

#50. Breathe- They stand on the lab's roof as Nick watches the traffic and sunrise, but David just watches Nick breathe, and he thanks God for it.

FIN.